Department for Transport

Govia Thameslink Railway

lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will meet with senior officials from Govia Thameslink to discussthe provision of automatic replacement services to London Kings Cross to ensure passengers can get to London when the Peterborough to Horsham line is blocked.

baroness sugg: Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Network Rail have agreed service recovery plans in place that are activated depending on the specific incident, its location on the network, destination and time of day. Recognising the potential impact of delays on passengers these plans will typically balance trying to get the maximum number of passengers to their destination as quickly as possible, recovering the delays whilst also attempting to ensure no further delays and obstructions are introduced across the network. There will be times that these plans need to be adapted to suit the situation and scale of the incident. As such it is important that decisions are taken by operational staff within Network Rail and GTR as they are best placed to understand the potential impact on passengers on a case by case basis.

Railway Stations: Cambridge

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the regional economic benefits of the opening of the proposed south Cambridge railway station.

baroness sugg: The Department for Transport considered the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the proposed new station and associated infrastructure at Cambridge South in late 2017. The SOBC included an estimate of national and regional benefits associated with the scheme totalling £46.8m in present value terms (2010 prices, 60 year appraisal period). Further work is underway to determine the feasibility of the scheme, in conjunction with local funding partners.

Railway Stations: Cambridge

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress in developing plans for the proposed south Cambridge railway station; and on whatdate will it be opened.

baroness sugg: The Department for Transport is working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Greater Cambridge Partnership and AstraZeneca to develop proposals for a new station and associated rail infrastructure at Cambridge South, to serve the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The development stage of the scheme will take around two years. Subject to the business case being satisfactory, gaining of planning powers, and affordability to funders, the station and associated rail infrastructure would be expected to be complete in the mid 2020s.

Govia Thameslink Railway: Timetables

lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many, and what percentage, of themembers of the panel investigating the causes of the Thameslink 2018 timetable problems have beenor aremembers of (1) the Board of the Office for Rail and Road, and (2) the boards of other companies or bodies whose roles will be assessed by the panel; which companies or bodies whose roles will be assessed are represented on the panel; and what assessment they have made of the impact of any membership of those boards by members of the panel on the (a) the independence, and (b) the appearance of independence of the panel.

baroness sugg: One member of the expert panel of four independent advisers supporting the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR’s) independent inquiry into the May 2018 timetable disruption is currently a non-executive member of ORR’s board and one panel member was a previous executive member of ORR’s board (until 2013). No other panel members are or have been a member of a board whose roles are being assessed by the inquiry, and no other companies whose roles will be assessed are represented on the panel. More generally, the ORR is the independent regulator for the rail sector. As a public body independent of government, the ORR is answerable to Parliament. It is established by statute, and operates under a legislative framework that assures its independence from both government and the rail companies it regulates. The government has asked the ORR to conduct this inquiry within this framework, which assures the independence of this work. As a result, Her Majesty’s Government is content that there is no adverse impact from the limited board memberships referred to above on the independence of the inquiry.

Railways: Industrial Relations

lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government which organisations and companies the Minister of State for Transport (1) has met, and (2) is scheduled to meet in connection with his responsibility for rail industrial relations this year; when he saw any organisations and companies in that capacity; and when he is due to see any organisations and companies in that capacity.

lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the Minister of State for Transport’s time so far this year has been spent in connection with his responsibility for rail industrial relations.

lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 12 July (HL9184) refers only to disputes between a transport operator and a union; and what the responsibilities of the Minister of State for Transport in connection with rail industrial relations comprise other than involvement in disputes.

baroness sugg: Further to the Written Answer to HL9184, specific ministerial responsibilities are not broken down in this manner. In addition, day to day responsibility for industrial relations and disputes in the rail sector lie with the individual employers, such as transport operators and trades unions. The Minister of State for Transport has no formal role in this relationship. However, the Minister often meets with officials to discuss policy areas relating to rail industrial relations and receives regular weekly updates on industrial relations disputes. Also, when the Minister meets the industry’s employers, part of that engagement may include an update on their plans for improving industrial relations. In addition, where there are industry-wide questions that could benefit from engagement with trade unions then, where appropriate, the Minister may seek discussion with them. For example, invitations to meet with the Minister have been extended to ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite to discuss the development of an approach for the rail industry to move towards adopting CPI as the inflation measure for industry costs and fare rises. As at 6 September, the Department for Transport has not received any positive responses to these invitations.

Bus Services: Finance

lord ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to provide additional resources to support bus services in England so that some of the routes stopped since 2010 can be restored.

baroness sugg: The bus market in England is deregulated. Any decision to cut bus routes lies with the commercial operator. In 2016/17 £2.21 billion was provided by the Government to support bus services in England. This support includes local authority payments for supported services, and £250 million of Bus Service Operators Grant payments with £43m of this being paid directly to local authorities to run services that are socially necessary. In 2017 the Government also introduced the Bus Services Act, providing a number of tools to help improve bus services for passengers, and are working with a number of interested local authorities to determine which of the powers provided in the Act are best able to support bus networks in their local areas.

Railways

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the railway network between Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford.

baroness sugg: The East West Rail programme will significantly improve rail connectivity in the Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford corridor whilst unlocking substantial housing potential and economic growth. Government is committed to delivering the programme by the mid 2020’s.

Transport

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the social and economic benefits to the Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford corridor of improved transport links between them.

baroness sugg: In 2017 the Government backed the National Infrastructure Commission’s vision for significant economic growth across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, supported by up to 1 million new homes by 2050. The Government recognises improved transport links are critical to this, and is committed to improving both the road and rail infrastructure in the area.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

EURATOM

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements, if any, they have made for regular consultation with the Nuclear Institute during the process of withdrawal from Euratom.

lord henley: The Government regularly engages with stakeholders in the civil nuclear sector on Euratom Exit. The Nuclear Institute has participated in Euratom Industry Fora for interested stakeholders, hosted by Richard Harrington, the Minister of State for Business and Industry. Government also frequently communicates progress towards Euratom exit with a wider range of stakeholders, including the Nuclear Institute.

EURATOM

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timetable for replacing each of the provisions of the Euratom Treaty with equivalent alternative arrangements.

lord henley: We are putting in place appropriate measures to ensure uninterrupted cooperation and trade in the civil nuclear sector when Euratom arrangements no longer apply to the UK, whether at the end of March 2019 or at the end of an implementation period. These arrangements include new safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear cooperation agreements with key trading partners and a domestic nuclear safeguards regime. We will present the new international agreements relating to Euratom exit to Parliament for ratification in the Autumn. The Government has published quarterly updates to Parliament on progress towards the UK’s exit from the Euratom Treaty in March 2018 and June 2018. These reports contain further information on the arrangements being put in place. The next such quarterly update will be published in October.

EURATOM

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to consider a future relationship with Euratom similar to Switzerland's; and if not, why not.

lord henley: The Government has made clear that it is seeking a close association with Euratom. In the White Paper on our Future Relationship with the European Union (Cm 9593), the Government set out its vision for a relationship with Euratom that is broader and more comprehensive than any existing precedent. The Government proposed that this close association should be based on a comprehensive Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the UK and Euratom. This would help ensure the UK’s standing as a leading and responsible civil nuclear state is maintained, and would be mutually beneficial for the UK and the Euratom Community.

EURATOM

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government how theyplan to ensure a seamless continuity of legislation and regulatory standards, and the enforcement of industry’s compliance with them, throughout and following the UK’s withdrawal from Euratom.

lord henley: Nuclear safety and security in the UK are currently regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and these arrangements will continue. When Euratom safeguards arrangements no longer apply to the UK, the ONR will regulate safeguards in the UK. The ONR is confident that they will have in place the IT system and safeguards inspectors needed to ensure the UK continues to meet its international obligations when Euratom arrangements no longer apply. The Government has made significant progress in our preparations to leave Euratom, to ensure a domestic nuclear safeguards regime can be in place from day one of exit, including passing the Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018 and proposing draft Nuclear Safeguards Regulations. As outlined in the White Paper published on 12 July, the UK has proposed that we will be seeking a close association with Euratom, including regulatory cooperation on nuclear safeguards and technical cooperation on nuclear safety. We are well advanced in our work to address the issues that may affect the civil nuclear sector if an agreement is not reached with the EU.

EURATOM

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures, if any, they are introducing prior to the UK's withdrawal from Euratom to ensure that each of the basic standards applied to the nuclear industries are checked and amended as necessary to ensure that each remains as valid and effective as those required by Euratom.

lord henley: Nuclear safety in the UK is currently regulated by the UK’s independent regulator the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and this will not change. We remain absolutely committed to maintaining high standards of radiation protection for workers, the public and the environment. As of February 2018, the UK has transposed the majority of Euratom’s 2013 Basic Safety Standards Directive (2013/59/Euratom) into UK legislation, which sets updated standards for radiation protection. We are committed to completing the transposition of the remaining parts as soon as possible to ensure that the UK continues to be recognised internationally as a leader in radiological safety.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Turkey: Detainees

lord balfe: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 26 July (HL9469), how many separate cases of detention in Turkey have been raised with the government of Turkey; and on how many occasions each of those cases of detention have been raised.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We do not reveal details of all the cases we have raised with the Turkish authorities nor the frequency with which we have raised them. However we will continue to raise key human rights issues, including individual cases where appropriate and in accordance with the criteria outlined in HL9904 with Turkey.

Turkey: Detainees

lord balfe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they use when deciding which cases of persons in detention to raise with the government of Turkey.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: As explained in HL9056, when deciding which specific detention cases to raise with the Turkish authorities we examine each on a case by case basis, noting the nature of the charge and length of detention. This year we have raised several cases, mainly concerning human rights defenders and journalists. We will continue to engage with the Turkish authorities on these important human rights concerns.

Turkey: Detainees

lord balfe: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cases of persons held in detention in Turkey have been raised with the government of Turkey as a result of discussions and decisions taken by the EU member states acting in political co-operation.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We closely coordinate our approach to human rights-related work in Turkey with EU and other likeminded countries, such as Canada and Switzerland. We do not reveal details of all the cases we have collectively raised. We will continue to cooperate with our partners in this important field.

UK Permanent Representation to the EU: Official Residences

lord balfe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the cost, extent and purpose of the current refurbishment of the residence ofthe UK's Permanent Representative to the EU.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: There is no current refurbishment of the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union’s Residence in Brussels. We are, however, currently undertaking routine maintenance to the front of the building.

Turkey: Human Rights

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress made by the Council of Europe’s project on improving the effectiveness of investigation of allegations of ill-treatment and combatting impunity in Turkey.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The project was launched in January this year and will run until mid-2019. While the UK is thoroughly supportive of the project it is too early to gauge progress. We will continue to monitor the activities of the project, which include workshops, training and mentoring, and to encourage the implementers to meet their objectives.

Turkey: British Nationals Abroad

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 1 August (HL9596), whether ministers have discussed with their counterparts the conditions under which British nationals are held in Turkish jails; and whether any complaints have been raised by them over the way Turkish nationals in British jails have been treated in the last five years.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: No Ministerial level discussions have taken place with their counterparts on the conditions of Turkish prisons where British nationals are held. As mentioned on 1 August, a detained British national can contact our Embassy with any concerns about prison conditions and impact on their welfare. Consular staff will then raise these concerns directly with the appropriate authorities. We are not aware of any complaints raised by the Turkish authorities in the past five years with regards to the treatment of Turkish nationals in British jails.

Israel: Gaza

the earl of sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the destruction of the Said al-Mishal Cultural Centre and Theatre by the Israel Defence Forces on 9 August; and what plans, if any, they have to contribute to its rebuilding.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities. We have no plans to contribute to its rebuilding.

Gibraltar: Spain

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the Gibraltar dispute between the UK and the government of Spain since June 2016; and what assessment they have made of whether Gibraltar will be included in any transition period after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Since June 2016, the British Government has engaged constructively with the Government of Gibraltar and our European partners, including Spain, to address the practical implications for Gibraltar arising from EU exit. As the Prime Minister reiterated in the House of Commons on 5 September, the Government is clear that Gibraltar is covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

Somalia: British Nationals Abroad

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what inquiries, if any, they have made concerning the use of rehabilitation centres in Somalia to which British Somali children are being sent; and what activities are offered in those centres.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​Her Majesty’s Government advises against all travel to Somalia, except for the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera. The British Embassy in Mogadishu and the British Office in Hargeisa are currently unable to provide consular assistance in Somalia or Somaliland. The UK’s ability to offer consular support to British Nationals in Somalia or Somaliland or establish with certainty the activities undertaken in “rehabilitation centres” is therefore extremely limited. However the High Commission in Nairobi has in the past provided limited consular assistance, including to those who had previously attended “rehabilitation centres".

Russia: China

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Vostok-2018, the joint Russian–Chinese military exercises taking place in eastern Siberia from 11to 15 September and its impact on western interests.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​All nations have the right to exercise their armed forces, but it is essential that this is done in a transparent and predictable manner. VOSTOK demonstrates Russia's focus on exercising large-scale conflict. It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time: a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its military capability and presence. The UK and our Allies are observing the exercise closely.

Department of Health and Social Care

Community Nurses

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of district nurses in England in community service organisations, such as NHS Community Healthcare Trusts, has reduced since 2010; and, if so, what measures they are taking to address any problems caused by such a reduction.

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure patient safety and wellbeing in the light of the expected reduction in funding for district nurse training in England from September 2019.

lord o'shaughnessy: Community health care services are a crucial part of the health and social care system that allows patients to be cared for at the right time in the right place.NHS Digital data shows a reduction in the number of full time equivalent district nurses in England from 7,546 in September 2010 to 4,587 in May 2018. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups, but not staff working in primary care or in general practitioner surgeries, local authorities or other providers. The number of district nurses in independent healthcare providers increased by 273, from September 2010 to September 2017. As a result of changes made in 2009 to the ways in which community services are provided – i.e. from a range of different types of provider – this does not represent the full picture and there will be a number of district nurses providing National Health Service services in organisations that do not provide a return to the Electronic Staff Records.The training of new district nurses is important in maintaining a workforce that can deliver the needs of the population in the community. Health Education England has commissioned and funded the District Nursing Specialist Practice Qualification at a steady state over the last six years. These are based upon the requirements that local providers have informed Health Education England. However, year on year these commissions are not fully taken up and therefore Health Education England is working to better understand the reasons this may be.Health Education England is now exploring the capacity and capability required of our community workforce to best meet the future needs of the population. Health Education England is evaluating the skills and knowledge required within the wider community workforce including district nurses. This has involved extensive engagement across England to understand how best to meet to needs of the local population, as well as develop a role that has a more desirable career pathway for prospective healthcare professionals. The Government is also supporting incentives for postgraduates who go on to work in community nursing roles, including ‘golden hellos’.Patient safety remains a key priority for the Department and in 2017 we restated our commitment to the NHS being the “safest healthcare system in the world”. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses all registered providers that deliver regulated activities against the Fundamental Standards, below which the standard of care must not fall. Staffing is one of the Standards, and the CQC inspections check that sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff are deployed within service providers. To this effect we would expect providers to continue to ensure patient safety in the community.

Department for International Development

Women and Children First UK: Finance

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution they made, if any, to the (1) core, and (2) non-core, funding of Women and Children First UK in (a) 2015–16, (b) 2016–17, and (c) 2017–18.

lord bates: We welcome the work of Women and Children First UK. The UK firmly believes that achieving gender equality is both the right thing to do and is in everybody’s interest. That is why women and girls’ rights are at the heart of all our development work. Through the UK’s aid spending in some of the poorest countries in the world we have improved financial services for over 36 million women, given 10 million women access to modern methods of family planning and helped over 5 million girls attend school.Women and Children First UK received DFID funding through Comic Relief grants; a) £282,018 in 2015–16, b) £317,127 in 2016–17 and c) £103,604 in 2017–18. They also received DFID funding via the UK Aid Direct programme, which amounted to approximately £29,924 from September 2014 to August 2018.

Developing Countries: Abortion

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement of £200 million of funding for the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme, how much of that funding will be spent on abortion provision and related activities; which countries will be targeted for any such spending; and what estimate they have made of the amount of the fund that each of those countries will spend on abortion provision and related activities.

lord bates: As the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme will provide integrated sexual and reproductive services, we cannot provide a specific figure for the amount of funding that will be spent on comprehensive and safe abortion care. WISH will operate in 24 African and 3 Asian Countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, DR. Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Developing Countries: Abortion

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement of £200 million funding for the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme, how many abortion proceduresthey estimate will be funded by the project (1) in total, and (2) broken down by country.

lord bates: As the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme will deliver integrated sexual and reproductive services, we cannot provide a figure for the number of safe abortions which will be supported. The programme’s aim is to help women and girls avoid recourse to unsafe abortion and to increase access to voluntary family planning.

Developing Countries: Health Services

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement of £200 million funding for the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme, which providers will deliver that project;and how much funding each of those providers will receive.

lord bates: The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme will be implemented by two consortia. Marie Stopes International have been awarded a contract for £77 million and International Planned Parenthood Federation have been awarded a contract for £135 million.

Kenya: Abortion

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement of £36 million of funding for family planning in Kenya, how much of that funding will be spent on abortion provision and related activities;and how many abortion proceduresthey estimate will be funded by the project.

lord bates: The main focus of the ‘Delivering Sustainable and Equitable Increases in Family Planning in Kenya’ programme is to support increased access to modern family planning services. Abortion services will be supported by the programme within the parameters set out in the Kenyan Constitution. Article 26(4) of the Kenyan Constitution states that, ‘Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger or if permitted by any other written law’. We have no breakdown of funding for any abortion provision, or estimate of the number of procedures because this is a new programme, and the procurement of the implementing partner is underway.

USA: UN Population Fund

baroness anelay of st johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the government of the United States about its decision to withdraw funding from the UN Population Fund; and what were the results of any such discussions.

lord bates: Discussions between UK and US officials take place regularly on a range of matters related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The UK remains the world’s largest donor to the UN Population Fund, enabling it to carry out its lifesaving work supporting some of the poorest and most marginalised people around the world.

Burma: Rohingya

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) action they are taking, and (2) funding they are designating, to protect Rohingya women in refugee camps with specific reference to (a) improving lighting for safety, (b) toilets and washrooms that provide privacy, and (c) special assistance for the most vulnerable.

lord bates: DFID is supporting a range of organisations providing specialised help to women amongst Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. A third of our latest £70m allocation will be spent on protection services including services for women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health. This includes funding for women’s centres, emergency nutrition and midwifery care to pregnant women, and support for survivors of gender based violence. Our funding is improving lighting for safety in the camps. We are supporting provision of women friendly spaces that include toilets and washrooms with privacy. We are also providing psychosocial first aid to vulnerable adults and adolescents to ease trauma, and child friendly spaces.

Burma: Rohingya

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure the participation and leadership of Rohingya people of all ages and genders in programmes intended to safeguard women in the refugee community in Cox's Bazar.

lord bates: The UK recognises that Rohingya communities need empowerment, leadership and influence within camps in Cox’s Bazar. The UK ensures that our partners work alongside the refugee community when implementing programmes and has funded coordination work between partners on communicating with refugees, including ensuring that the voices of girls and women are included.

Burma: Rohingya

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to assist local organisations with expertise on gender issues in their contribution to the safety and well-being of Rohingya women refugees.

lord bates: The UK is leading the way in supporting a range of organisations providing specialised help to women and survivors of sexual violence in Bangladesh. DFID funds the UNFPA and UNHCR who have local implementing partners, such as Brac and Mukti, who provide access to sexual and reproductive health care and support for survivors of gender-based violence for over 200,000 refugees. DFID works with UN agencies to incorporate refugee feedback and voice in the humanitarian response. The UK recognises the importance of including Rohingya leadership, especially women, in the humanitarian response and discussions on the future of the Rohingya people.

UNRWA: Finance

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the UK will deliver its next round of aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA); what action they are taking to ensure the continued sustainable delivery of UNRWA’s services, further to the United States State Department’s announcement on 31 August that the United States will no longer commit to further funding for UNRWA; and what representations theyhave made to the government of the United States aboutthe State Department’s characterisation of UNRWA as "irredeemably flawed".

lord bates: The UK has so far provided £45.5 million to the Programme Budget of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), including two recent uplifts totalling £17 million the past four months; an increase of 60% to our planned Programme Budget contribution of £28.5 million. We continue to work with international partners to help unlock further funding for UNRWA and are considering further financial support. When the US announced their intention to withhold a planned disbursement to UNRWA in January, we were sympathetic about the need for a broader donor base, but made clear our concerns about the impact on UNRWA’s activities that any unexpected reductions or delays in predicted donor disbursements might have, and our widely shared concerns about risks to regional stability. We continue to engage with the US on this at official and Ministerial levels.

Syria: Armed Conflict

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what results they have had in the UN Security Council and the International Syria Support Group in advocating for the protection of civilians in Idlib and for an agreement to allow humanitarian agencies access to deliver urgent aid to civilians.

lord bates: In the past two weeks the UN Security Council has held four sessions focused on Syria, where the UK has joined with other countries in calling on the Syrian regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, to uphold the de-escalation arrangements they have previously agreed in Idlib, and to respect international humanitarian law. We have expressed our support for the UN’s contingency planning, including ensuring it is fully funded: the UK has committed £42 million in new funding, and is urgently considering how further funding could be mobilised. We have also made clear that we will respond swiftly and appropriately if the Asad regime repeats its appalling use of chemical weapons. In January, we supported and lobbied for UNSCR 2393, which provides for humanitarian aid to be delivered cross-border into Syria. This has enabled our partners to provide approximately 572,000 people with access to clean drinking water, immunise 95,000 children under five, provide 500,000 medical consultations, provide safe spaces for over 29,000 women and girls, distribute over 23,000 food rations and support over 2,300 health facilities across Idlib governorate in 2018 so far. The UK also joined our close partners in mobilising the Security Council to demand a ceasefire across the whole of Syria and the immediate delivery of emergency aid to all those in need through UN Security Council Resolution 2401, which was unanimously adopted on 24 February. The UK continues to play an active role in the International Syria Support Group, where we routinely push issues of protection and access. Together with other countries, the UK has strongly advocated to focus targeting aid on those most in need, which led to a review of the prioritisation of the UN response plan for Syria. As a result, the $1.8 billion plan is now more focused on immediate humanitarian needs and the most vulnerable, including within Idilib.

Jerusalem: Hospitals

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action, if any, theyplan to take to support hospitals situated in East Jerusalem following recent reductions by the United States in financial aid.

lord bates: The UK is working closely with our international partners to ensure a coordinated response to ensure the effective delivery of medical services across the OPTs. UK financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority helps to enable around 185,000 medical consultations annually. The UK is also a long-term supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides basic services, including basic healthcare, to over 800,000 Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. We have recently provided two financial uplifts to UNRWA, totalling £17 million to the Programme Budget, which will help to alleviate pressures on health services for Palestinian refugees.

Gaza: Hospitals

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action, if any, they plan to take to ensure that hospitals in Gaza are able to operate following recent shortages of UN emergency fuel.

lord bates: The UK recently provided £1.5 million to support the International Committee of the Red Cross appeal to help address urgent needs in Gaza, including hospital supplies and emergency fuel. UK officials continue to closely monitor emergency fuel supplies in Gaza.

Department for Education

Children in Care

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to require local authorities seeking to place looked-after children outside their own area to consult the local authority where a placement is being sought.

lord agnew of oulton: The Children’s Homes and Looked After Children (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2013 placed additional duties on local authorities seeking to place children out of the authority’s area.Under the amended regulations, any decision to place a child outside of the local authority’s area must be approved by a nominated officer, or, if that placement is a distant one, by the Director of Children’s Services. The regulations further require that when considering making a distant placement, the responsible authority consults with the host authority, and shares information including the child’s care plan.It should also be noted that local authorities do place looked-after children in boarding schools from time to time, where it is considered in the child’s best interests. Boarding schools, by their nature, can be outside the responsible local authority’s geographic area.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many hours of (1) art and design, (2) music, (3) drama, (4) design and technology, (5) history, and (6) geography were taught at key stage 4 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017.

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the annual percentage change in the number of teaching hours for (1) art and design, (2) music, (3) drama, (4) design and technology, (5) history, and (6) geography at key stage 4 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017.

lord agnew of oulton: The requested information is shown in the attached table. As the total number of hours taught to key stage 4 year groups varies each year, the percentage of time spent teaching each of the subjects requested has also been provided for context. The figures shown in the attached table cover teaching in years 10 and 11.Information on subjects taught at key stage 4 is collected from a large sample of schools, this is then weighted and grossed to provide national totals. The percentage of schools returning this information each year has also been provided for context. Schools have the freedom to decide how to teach the curriculum, but must make sure it is broad and balanced, offering a range of subjects to help pupils progress through acquiring knowledge, understanding and skills. Traditionally GCSEs are two year courses of study that pupils start in year 10. The new national curriculum and reformed GCSEs are designed so that key stage 3 plays an important role in preparing pupils for natural progression to GCSEs. 



Hl9922_HL9923_Hours_by_subject_KS4
(PDF Document, 350.15 KB)

Secondary Education: Admissions

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many students were in key stage 4 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017; and what was the annual percentage change in the number of students for each of those years.

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many students were in key stage 3 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017; and what was the annual percentage change in the number of students for each of those years.

lord agnew of oulton: The requested information is shown in the table below:Number of pupils by key stages 3 and 4 in secondary schoolsyearkey stage 3% changekey stage 4% change20101,677,023n/a1,134,938n/a20111,670,486-0.41,117,700-1.520121,640,040-1.81,121,5100.320131,610,360-1.81,117,765-0.320141,585,635-1.51,100,400-1.620151,595,0660.61,082,750-1.620161,630,5782.21,059,175-2.220171,678,4972.91,043,635-1.5Source: School Census

Secondary Education: Curriculum

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many hours of (1) art and design, (2) music, (3) drama,( 4) design and technology, (5) history, and (6) geography were taught at key stage 3 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017.

baroness bonham-carter of yarnbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the annual percentage change in the number of teaching hours for (1) art and design, (2) music, (3) drama, (4) design and technology, (5) history, and (6) geography at key stage 3 in state secondary schools in England in each year from 2010 to 2017.

lord agnew of oulton: The requested information is shown in the attached table. As the total number of hours taught to key stage 3 year groups varies each year, the percentage of time spent teaching each of the subjects requested has also been provided for context. The figures shown in the attached table cover teaching in years 7, 8 and 9.Information on subjects taught at key stage 3 is collected from a large sample of schools, this is then weighted and grossed to provide national totals. The percentage of schools returning this information each year has been provided for context. Schools have the freedom to decide how to teach the curriculum, but must make sure it is broad and balanced, offering a range of subjects to help pupils progress through acquiring knowledge, understanding and skills. Traditionally GCSEs are two year courses of study that pupils start in year 10. The new national curriculum and reformed GCSEs are designed so that key stage 3 plays an important role in preparing pupils for natural progression to GCSEs. 



Hl9925_HL9926_Hours_by_subject_KS3
(PDF Document, 350.4 KB)

Department for Education: Families

baroness eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Department for Education policies have been assessed against theFamilyTest; and whether they will publish any suchassessments.

lord agnew of oulton: The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance for departments and officials on how the Family Test should be applied when formulating policy and my department follows that guidance, which is attached and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-test-assessing-the-impact-of-policies-on-families. We do not hold a central record of the amount of policies assessed against the Family Test as it is an integral part of the policy making process. It is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance. As a result potential impacts of policy on family functioning and relationships have been identified and brought to the attention of Ministers where appropriate, and as part of the normal process of agreeing policy.We have published assessments of the impact on families on a number of occasions when legislation was introduced to Parliament. The Childcare Act 2016 assessment can be found attached and also at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childcare-bill-impact-assessment.The Education and Adoption Act 2016 assessment can be found attached and also at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-adoption-bill-impact-assessment.The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 assessment has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can also be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/528005/bis-16-295-he-research-bill-detailed-impact-assessment.pdf.The Children & Social Work Act 2017 assessment has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can also be found at: https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA16-008.pdf.



Family_Test_Guidance
(PDF Document, 62.81 KB)




Childcare_Impact_Bill_Assessment
(PDF Document, 130.01 KB)




Education_and_adoption_bill_impact_assessment
(PDF Document, 396.84 KB)

Private Education: Standards

baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government whichindependent schools participated in the 2010 and 2017 key stage five performance table rankings.

baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatdiscussions ministers and officials have had, if any, with Rugby School about withdrawing from the key stage five performance table rankings.

lord agnew of oulton: The list of independent schools which are included in the 16-18 performance tables for 2010 and 2017 are attached in Annex A. This list was generated from the published school performance tables data which can be found at: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/download-data. Ministers and officials have had no discussions with Rugby School about reports of their wish to withdraw from the 16-18 performance tables. There is no process by which independent or state-funded schools can ask to withdraw from performance tables. Performance tables are an important way of providing information to parents and the wider public about school and college performance.



HL9952_HL9953_Independent_Schools_in_2017_and_2010
(Excel SpreadSheet, 171.5 KB)

Apprentices: Training

lord sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on25 July (HL9666), what mechanisms they use or intend to use toensure that subcontractors to awardees of Education and Skills Funding Agency contracts for the training of apprentices are capable of delivering training of the appropriate quality and do deliver such training.

lord agnew of oulton: We understand this question to refer to non-levy apprenticeship procured contracts. Under these contracts delivery started from 1 January 2018. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) requires all providers that subcontract to comply with its apprenticeship funding rules (attached). These rules include that providers must carry out due diligence checks on potential subcontractors. In addition, they must not use the delivery subcontractor that they assess is unsuitable, or whose quality of delivery is demonstrably inadequate.Providers must manage and monitor all of their subcontractors to make sure that high quality delivery is taking place which meets the funding rules. This includes carrying out a regular and substantial programme of quality-assurance checks on the apprenticeship training and on-programme assessment provided by subcontractors.The ESFA also requires all subcontractors with aggregate apprenticeship delivery of over £100,000 per year to successfully apply to its register of apprenticeship training providers.



HL10017_Apprenticeship_funding_rules
(PDF Document, 388.7 KB)

Apprentices: Training

lord sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 25 July (HL9666), how they assess the suitability for Education and Skills Funding Agency contracts for the training of apprentices of organisations which subcontract all or part of such training.

lord agnew of oulton: The procurement of contracts for the delivery of non-levy apprenticeship training was conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Contracts were awarded on the basis of an Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) assessment of information supplied by providers against a defined set of criteria set out in the invitation to tender. The ESFA, through its funding rules, requires awarded organisations to directly deliver some of the apprenticeship training associated with the apprenticeship programme of each employer they are working with. The volume of training that the awarded organisation delivers must have some substance and not be a token amount.

Apprentices: Training

lord sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 25 July (HL9666), why they do not collect informationon what percentage of the value of Education and Skills Funding Agency contracts for the training of apprentices is retained by awardee organisations which subcontract such training.

lord agnew of oulton: The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) does not hold information to indicate the percentage of funding retained by a provider when subcontracting these particular contracts. Instead, awardee organisations are required through the ESFA’s funding rules to have an up-to-date written agreement in place with each employer that sets out the apprenticeship training that the provider will directly deliver and the amount of funding the provider will retain for this delivery. In addition, the agreement must outline the apprenticeship training that each subcontractor will contribute to the employer’s apprenticeship programme and the amount of funding the provider will pay to the subcontractor for this delivery.

Pupil Exclusions

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they have taken to reduce the number of school exclusions in secondary schools in England.

lord agnew of oulton: The department supports head teachers in the use of school exclusion where it is warranted.In March, the government launched an externally-led review of exclusions practice, led by Edward Timpson CBE. The review will explore how head teachers use exclusion, and why pupils with particular characteristics are more likely to be excluded from school. It will also consider the differences in exclusion rates across primary and secondary schools in England.The review will aim to report by the end of the year. The full terms of reference for the review can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusions-review-terms-of-reference. 



HL10195_A_Review_of_School_Exclusion-terms_of_refe
(PDF Document, 107.44 KB)

Managers: Apprentices

lord lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the final funding band review of 15 August for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship standard, what items from the nominated training providers’ cost estimates were removed by that review as being ineligible.

lord agnew of oulton: This is a matter for the Institute for Apprenticeships. I have asked its Chief Executive, Sir Gerry Berragan, to write to my noble Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Disabled Facilities Grants

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the findings of the independent review of the disabled facilities grant have not been published; whether they intend to publish it; and if so, when.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: I welcome the independent review of the Disabled Facilities Grant, which was jointly commissioned by my Department and the Department of Health and Social Care. The review reported over the summer and we intend to publish it in due course.

Change of Use

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research conducted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Assessing the impacts of extending permitted development rights to office-to-residential change of use in England, published in May, which suggests that developers are using permitted development applications to circumvent space standards; and whether they plan to review relevant legislation in the light of this research.

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recommendations in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ publication, Assessing the impacts of extending permitted development rights to office-to-residential change of use in England, published in May, that minimum space standards should apply to permitted development schemes.

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conclusions in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ publication, Assessing the impacts of extending permitted development rights to office-to-residential change of use in England, published in May, that permitted development has “allowed extremely poor-quality housing to be developed”, and only 30per cent of ‘studio’ flats built under the legislation meet national space standards; and whether they plan to review relevant legislation in the light of this.

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the concerns raised in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ publication, Assessing the impacts of extending permitted development rights to office-to-residential change of use in England, published in May, about “overcrowding, noise, health and safety (particularly fire safety) and social infrastructure” as a result of “lower quality accommodation” being developed; and whether they plan to review relevant legislation in the light of these concerns.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: National permitted development rights play an important role in the planning system, providing flexibility, reducing bureaucracy and making the most effective use of existing buildings. The permitted development right for the change of use from office to residential is making an important contribution to the delivery of new homes across the country. Nationally, over 17,700 homes were delivered under the right in the year to March 2017, accounting for 8 per cent of national housing delivery.All homes, whether granted permission on a planning application or through a national permitted development right, are required to meet Building Regulations, including fire safety.Local planning authorities can make an Article 4 direction to remove a permitted development right where it is felt that it is necessary to protect the amenity or wellbeing of an area. This then requires a planning application which the local planning authority can determine in accordance with local plan policies.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the roll out of Universal Credit to be completed; and what steps they are taking to ensure that data collected on access to free school meals is reliable.

baroness buscombe: Universal Credit will be available for all new claims by the end of December 2018. The Managed Migration of current benefit claimants to Universal Credit will begin in 2019 and is due to be completed in 2023. DWP works closely with the Department for Education, electronically verifying Universal Credit claimants who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals.

Local Housing Allowance

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the report of the Chartered Institute of Housing Missing The Target? Is targeted affordability funding doing its job?, published on 29 August, what steps they are taking to alleviate the problems faced by tenants of private rented homes caused bythe four year freeze on local housing allowance levels.

baroness buscombe: As part of the measures to bring the welfare bill under control and alongside the freeze to other working age benefits Local Housing Allowance rates have been frozen for four years from April 2016 until March 2020. At Autumn Budget 2017, it was announced that an additional £125 million would be available for Targeted Affordability Funding in 2018/19 and 2019/20. In 2018/19 this enables us to increase 213 Local Housing Allowance rates by 3 per cent in those areas where rates have diverged the most from local rents. More Targeted Affordability Funding will be available in 2019/20 and arrangements for its distribution will be finalised at the end of this year. In addition, from 2011 the Government has provided around £1 billion in Discretionary Housing Payments to local authorities to protect the most vulnerable claimants and support households affected by different welfare reforms including the freeze to Local Housing Allowance rates.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Families

baroness eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs policies have been assessed against theFamilyTest; and whether they will publish any suchassessments.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government is committed to supporting families. To achieve this, in 2014 we introduced the Family Test, which aims to ensure that impacts on family relationships and functioning are recognised early on during the process of policy development and help inform the policy decisions made by Minsters. There is no requirement for departments to publish the results of assessments made under the Family Test. The Family Test is an integral part of the policy making process and is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance.

Agriculture: Subsidies

lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to maintain the financial support to the agricultural sector following Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: This Government has pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this parliament, expected in 2022. We have also confirmed we will pay the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme on the same basis as we do now. All Pillar 2 projects signed by 31 December 2020 will be funded for their lifetime. Any changes made to agricultural funding would reflect the Government’s aim of securing a better future for UK agriculture and for the environment.

Beef: Imports

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it will bepossible to import hormone-reared beef after Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government is proud of our high standards of food safety and these will not be watered down when we leave the EU. We will remain global leaders in environmental protection and animal welfare standards, maintaining our high quality produce for British consumers. The UK has transposed EU Council Directive 96/22/EC into UK law, which prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products. This will continue when we leave the EU. The Withdrawal Act will transfer onto the UK statute book all EU food safety and animal welfare standards. Our current high standards, including import requirements, will apply when we leave the EU.

Food: UK Trade with EU

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the value of (1) exports, and (2) imports, of food and drink between the UK and the rest of the EU in each of the last three years.

lord gardiner of kimble: UK food and drink Exports are a success story, reaching £22bn for the first time in 2017. Our exports to Europe continue to increase, and have grown by £3.4bn since 2014. Exports In 2015 the value of food and drink exports to the rest of the EU was £10.9bn. This increased to £12bn in 2016.This increased again in 2017 to a total of £13.3bn. Imports In 2015 the value of food and drink imports from the rest of the EU was £27.6bn. In 2016 this increased to £29.8bn.In 2017 this increased to £32.4bn.

Agriculture: Subsidies

the lord bishop of st albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, what steps they are taking to ensure sufficient levels of food security following any change in payments to UK farmers after Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government understands the importance of providing stability to farmers as we leave the European Union. Our Agriculture Bill will support farmers over a seven year transition from the Common Agricultural Policy to a new system underpinned by the principle of public money for public goods. Farmers produce world-class food and we are seeking new powers in legislation to help farmers get a fairer return from the supply chain. We pledge to continue the same cash total in funds for farm support for the duration of this Parliament. Our aim is to boost UK productivity by developing targeted transitional policies to reflect our farmers’ needs. It is, however, important for the UK to take a more balanced approach to productivity targets and incorporate other issues, such as; provenance, animal welfare, and environmental costs alongside nutritional provision.   The Government views food security in its broadest sense - taking into consideration the global context, the UK supply chain as a whole and the consumer perspective. Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. Increased self-sufficiency in indigenous products would not necessarily insulate us from shocks to the system; for example, weather and disease can affect the harvests and yields.   The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 60% for all food and 75% for indigenous type foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the past 150 years. In the 1930s, for example, the overall rate was between 30% and 40%, while in the late 1950s this had risen to just over 50%. The UK has historically been a net importer of food and sources produce from a diverse range of stable countries and this will continue once we leave the EU.

Food Supply

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK will be self-sufficient in food ingredients after Brexit; and if not, what plans they have, if any, for stockpiling within the UK food and drink industry.

lord gardiner of kimble: The UK has a high degree of food security, built on access to a range of sources including strong domestic production and imports from third countries.   The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 60% for all food and 75% for indigenous-type foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the past 150 years.   Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. The UK has historically been a net importer of food and sources from a diverse range of stable countries and this will continue once we leave the EU. Achieving increased self-sufficiency in indigenous products would not necessarily insulate us from shocks to the system, for example, weather and disease can affect the harvests and yields.   While we are making sensible preparations for all eventualities as we leave the EU, there are no plans to stockpile food. The government has well established ways of working with the food industry on food supply chain issues.

Veterinary Services

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government why, as reported in theNational Audit Office report on Defra'sProgress in Implementing EU Exit,Defrawas not permitted to engage with the veterinary industry in April; and which authority prevented that engagement.

lord gardiner of kimble: Since March, Defra has engaged privately with stakeholders in the veterinary industry to make progress on delivery planning for leaving the EU. Defra welcomes input from any interested parties to help inform our work in preparing for leaving the EU.   Public engagement with the veterinary industry required wider interests across Government to be taken into account, including negotiation sensitivities and the need for consistent messages to different industries.

Food: Imports

baroness redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether food imports from Least Developed Countrieswill have the same food safety and animal welfare checks after Brexit as they currentlydo.

lord gardiner of kimble: When we leave the European Union (EU), we will maintain our current standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will transfer onto the UK statue book all EU food safety and animal welfare standards. Our current high standards, including import requirements, will apply when we leave the EU.   At the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in December 2017, the Government announced new support to help developing countries trade effectively, including funding for the WTO’s Standards and Trade Development Facility, which supports least developed countries to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards for trade in agricultural and animal-related products.

Home Office

Police: Databases

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of whether the UK will maintain access to EU criminal databases after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; and if none, what assessment they have made of the possible effects on crime rates in the UK of losing such access.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government is committed to ongoing cooperation with the EU on security, law enforcement and criminal justice. That is why we are seeking a new, coherent and legally binding agreement on internal security which preserves mutually beneficial operational capabilities whilst allowing the UK and EU to continue to work together to combat fast evolving security threats.The Government’s July White Paper outlines that our proposed Security Partnership should cover the breadth of the shared security interests of the UK and the EU, including protecting mutually beneficial security, law enforcement and criminal justice operational capabilities such as mechanisms for rapid and secure data exchange.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Families

baroness eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Cabinet Office policies have been assessed against theFamilyTest; and whether they will publish any suchassessments.

lord young of cookham: The government is committed to supporting families. To achieve this, in 2014 we introduced the Family Test, which aims to ensure that impacts on family relationships and functioning are recognised early on during the process of policy development and help inform the policy decisions made by Minsters. There is no requirement for departments to publish the results of assessments made under the Family Test.

Philippines: Prosperity Fund

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent or invested by the UK Prosperity Fund in the Philippines in the (1) current, and (2) previous two years; and what impact this has had on increasing employment, establishing minimum wages and conditions, and reducing the need for the emigration of workers.

lord young of cookham: The Prosperity Fund (PF) has spent the following in the Philippines over the last three years: 2016/17£507,4522017/18£58,0992018/19 (estimated up to Aug 2018)£83,653Project activity has covered a number of areas including health, urban development and disaster protection, and includes preparatory work for larger programmes shortly to be approved. It is too early to fully assess impact.

Public Sector: Procurement

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that they meet their target of awarding small and medium-sized enterprises 33 per cent of publicworks contracts by 2022.

lord young of cookham: This Government is committed to supporting small businesses and we continue to aspire to 33% of Government procurement spend on goods, services and works goes to SMEs by 2022. In April the government announced a number of measures to help achieve this, including: · Requiring greater transparency by prime contractors to increase SMEs visibility in the supply chain;· Improving the visibility of supply chain opportunities to SMEs; and· Consulting on how to improve prompt payment to SMEs in the supply chain. We have already streamlined our procurement processes to assist small businesses, and we continue to focus on breaking down the barriers that might deter SMEs from bidding for Government contracts.

Government Departments: Bicycles

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government which departments have buildings in which ministers are based which allow visitors to carry folding bikes into meetings or have lockable storage for them near reception.

lord young of cookham: This information is not held centrally.

Former Ministers

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many, and which, enquiries into breaches of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) rules resulted in findings against former ministers since 2010; and on how many occasions ACOBA recommendations have not been adhered to since 2010.

lord young of cookham: The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) is independent from Government and its role is to provide advice on applications submitted under the Government's Business Appointment Rules (the Rules) from the most senior Civil Servants and former Ministers. In doing so it considers the risks posed by an application and advises on the conditions that should apply. Relevant correspondence is published on ACOBA’s website. ACOBA is only one part of the Business Appointments system. Other applications are considered by the responsible department; and departmental boards are responsible for the oversight of the Rules within each department, via Audit and Risk Committees.

Boris Johnson

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government on which policy areas the guidance in the Ministerial Code prevents the former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, from conducting lobbying.

lord young of cookham: The Business Appointment Rules (para 8), attached at Annex B of the Ministerial Code, defines lobbying as: …communication with Government (Ministers, civil servants, including special advisers, and other relevant officials/public office holders) – wherever it takes place - with a view to influencing a Government decision, policy or contract award/grant in relation to their own interests or the interests of the organisation by which they are employed, or to whom they are contracted or with which they hold office. This does not prohibit contacts, including at a social or party political level which is unrelated to such lobbying. Former Ministers remain personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the Ministerial Code and for justifying their actions and conduct to Parliament and the public. This includes following the correct process for seeking advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.Individuals who are serving Members of Parliament should also be mindful that any outside activity must comply with the Commons Code of Conduct.

Government Departments: Procurement

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is taken within departments in relation to projects which are ratedin the Annual Reports of the Infrastructure and Projects Authorityas amber, amber/red, or red in the Delivery Confidence Assessment; and whether theyseek explanations and plans before returning projects to the green category.

lord young of cookham: Departmental action in response to ratings of amber, amber/red or red is, in the first instance, a matter for the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO – usually a government department or public agency) of the project. The nature of the action will be specific to the individual project, its objectives and its environment. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) will, through its engagement, data, reporting and assurance, monitor departmental action and progress against plans. In this way it seeks to ensure evidence is provided for any change in Delivery Confidence Assessment.

Government Departments: Procurement

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government on which projects where the Delivery Confidence Assessment is shown as amber, amber/red or red in the Infrastructure and Project Authority (IPA) Annual Reports the IPA provides expert staff toassist; and whether such staff are required to produce progress reports on the projects.

lord young of cookham: The Infrastructure and Project Authority (IPA) does not routinely deploy staff to assist projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). On occasion, in light of its engagement and independent assurance, the IPA may offer specific assistance or expertise to the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO – usually a government department or public agency) of any project. Equally, an SRO may make a specific request of IPA for assistance or expertise. Where the IPA and the SRO agree a deployment is in the interests of successful delivery, the nature of reporting arrangements will be agreed.